Bhopal: The Madhya Pradesh government is formulating a socio-economic rehabilitation scheme for leprosy patients in the state under which their pension will also be raised from Rs 150 to Rs 1,000 per month.

The social security pension for leprosy patients will be raised from Rs 150 to Rs 1,000 per month, Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan said.

Chouhan made the announcements during a meeting with global leprosy elimination campaigner Yohei Sasakawa of Japan in Bhopal on Thursday evening, officials said.

Sasakawa, Japan's Ambassador for the human rights of people affected by leprosy, is also associated with the UN and runs an NGO, Nippon Foundation.

Chouhan said Sasakawa was doing sacred work of serving leprosy patients and assured him of his government's full cooperation in the mission.

Under the scheme, house 'pattas' (documents) and ration cards under Antyodaya Anna Yojna (a food grain programme for the poor) will be provided to the leprosy patients, the Chief Minister said.

Besides, arrangements for treatment and employment- oriented training of these patients will also be made, he said, adding a survey will be conducted for starting health centres and Anganwadis (care centres) in their colonies.

Chouhan said the government will work with Nippon Foundation for rehabilitation of leprosy patients.